Question:
Do real and fake gold jewelry have the same ruling for men in Islam?
Answer:
Wearing real gold jewelry is strictly prohibited for Muslim men. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Gold and silk have been permitted for the females of my Ummah and forbidden for the males.”
— Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1720; Abu Dawud, 4057
This prohibition applies to all forms of real gold, regardless of whether it is a ring, necklace, bracelet, or watch. The ruling is consistent across the four schools.
As for imitation or fake gold (such as gold-plated ornaments made from other metals, or artificial jewelry that only resembles gold but is not actually gold), the prohibition does not apply. The ruling is based on the substance, not the appearance. Since these items do not contain real gold, men are allowed to wear them — provided they do not involve imitation of women or people of fujur (disobedience).